James ran back to the hospital wing to see Lucius sat beside Narcissa's bed with a ring box in his hand.
Narcissa lay back after madam pomfrey had helped her breath again.
James had left with her letter in a bad mood and since she hadn't eaten she was feeling weak.
She saw Lucius walk in and sit down beside her bed.
"Hello my dear Narcissa. I just came here to give you your engagement ring." smiled Lucius taking the ring box out the pocket of his robe.
"I'm not in the mood right now Lucius." sighed Narcissa.
"Oh come on dear. We're getting married next week. You need an engagement ring before you can have the wedding band." said Lucius opening the box.
Narcissa looked at the ring and felt her heart catch in her throat at the size of the ring.
The centre jewel which was an amber stone was embedded in the white gold band had a crystal either side of it.
"It's beautiful Lucius," breathed Narcissa.
"Well my love will you accept it?" asked Lucius eagerly.
Narcissa saw James come in and give Lucius a deadly look.
"No she won't Malfoy. So why don't you give the poor girl some room?" asked James.
Lucius sneered at James as he closed the box and put it on the table next to Narcissa's bed.
"You are going to marry me Narcissa despite what ever Potter does. So when ever you are ready put the ring on and I'll be right there to protect you from him." Assured Lucius kissing Narcissa's hand as he got up from the chair.
James watched Lucius leave and sat down next to Narcissa n the bed.
"You OK Nari? He didn't kiss you or anything did he?" asked James as Narcissa leaned her body against his chest.
"No he didn't. But I can't stop him from marrying me James." sighed Narcissa looking at the box.
"Don't worry, me and Sirius will work this out with your mother." assured James hugging her.
"Thank you James. I really love you," said Narcissa kissing her lips.
"I know you do Narcissa. Now I think we should get you to eat something. The Hogsmeade trip is this weekend," said James.
"Of course." smiled Narcissa.
Sirius prowled around the castle trying to find Lucius and soon found the Malfoy smirking about getting married to a fellow slimy reptile.
"OI MALFOY! I WANT A WORD WITH YOU!" yelled Sirius pointing his wand threatening at Lucius' throat
"Well well if it isn't my future cousin in law. What is it you want to talk about?" asked Lucius calmly moving the end of Sirius' wand away from his throat with a steady finger.
"There is no way you are marrying my cousin before she finishes Hogwarts. It wasn't part of the deal Malfoy," exclaimed Sirius.
"Well I'm sorry Sirius but my father expects me to be married by the end of autumn. I can't disappoint him." shrugged Lucius.
"So Narcissa has no say in this?" asked Sirius.
"Of course. But right now no. You have to understand dear cousin in law when a Malfoy wants something done before a certain time it usually happens" shrugged Lucius.
"But...." spluttered Sirius.
"I'm sorry Sirius but don't worry you will be invited to the wedding." said Lucius before walking past Sirius.
Sirius growled in his throat, he couldn't do anything to stop Narcissa and Lucius getting married.
He stormed off the to the hospital wing.
James watched Narcissa eat and felt his heart sink. There was no doubt that she was getting better.
But what would happen to her when Malfoy got his mitts on her?
That was what worried him.
"You OK James? You look worried," said Narcissa finishing her soup.
"I'm fine. Looks like your coming with me to Hogsmeade then." smiled James.
"I can't wait." smiled Narcissa.
Sirius burst in with anger twinkling in his eyes.
"Well?" asked James as if they continuing with a previous discussion.
"I tried." growled Sirius angrily.
"Damn." Cursed James.
"What's wrong?" asked Narcissa looking between her cousin and her crush.
"I tried to talk to Malfoy but he won't listen I'm sorry cous." said Sirius squeezing his fists in anger.
"I told you James. I can't get out of it," sighed Narcissa.
"She's right James. We'll have to deal with it," growled Sirius.
"I'm not giving up Sirius. What your aunt is expecting of Nari just isn't fair." Said James.
"There isn't anything we can do Prongs. Let's just leave it," sighed Sirius reluctantly.
"But..." began James.
"Look I've got to go meet up with Ariel tinea in the great hall," said Sirius, "I'll talk to you later."
He then left the two alone.
James looked at Narcissa who was looking at the ring box on the dresser next to her bed.
"Don't give up Nari." said James taking the box from the dresser and putting it in his pocket.
He sat on the bed and hugged her to him.